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(a) You must determine annual N2O process emissions from each nitric acid train according to paragraphs (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section.

(1) Use a site-specific emission factor and production data according to paragraphs (b) through (i) of this section.

(2) Request Administrator approval for an alternative method of determining N2O emissions according to paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii) of this section.

(i) You must submit the request within 45 days following promulgation of this subpart or within the first 30 days of each subsequent reporting year.

(ii) If the Administrator does not approve your requested alternative method within 150 days of the end of the reporting year, you must determine the N2O emissions for the current reporting period using the procedures specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

(b) You must conduct an annual performance test for each nitric acid train according to paragraphs (b)(1) through (3) of this section.

(1) You must conduct the performance test at the absorber tail gas vent, referred to as the test point, for each nitric acid train according to § 98.224(b) through (f). If multiple nitric acid production units exhaust to a common abatement technology and/or emission point, you must sample each process in the ducts before the emissions are combined, sample each process when only one process is operating, or sample the combined emissions when multiple processes are operating and base the site-specific emission factor on the combined production rate of the multiple nitric acid production units.

(2) You must conduct the performance test under normal process operating conditions.

(3) You must measure the production rate during the performance test and calculate the production rate for the test period in metric tons (100 percent acid basis) per hour.

(c) Using the results of the performance test in paragraph (b) of this section, you must calculate an average site-specific emission factor for each nitric acid train “t” according to Equation V-1 of this section:

CN2O = N2O concentration for each test run during the performance test (ppm N2O).

1.14 × 10−7 = Conversion factor (lb/dscf-ppm N2O).

Q = Volumetric flow rate of effluent gas for each test run during the performance test (dscf/hr).

P = Production rate for each test run during the performance test (tons nitric acid produced per hour, 100 percent acid basis).

n = Number of test runs.

(d) If nitric acid train “t” exhausts to any N2O abatement technology “N” after the test point, you must determine the destruction efficiency for each N2O abatement technology “N” according to paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), or (d)(3) of this section.

(1) Use the manufacturer's specified destruction efficiency.

(2) Estimate the destruction efficiency through process knowledge. Examples of information that could constitute process knowledge include calculations based on material balances, process stoichiometry, or previous test results provided the results are still relevant to the current vent stream conditions. You must document how process knowledge (if applicable) was used to determine the destruction efficiency.

(3) Calculate the destruction efficiency by conducting an additional performance test on the emissions stream following the N2O abatement technology.

(e) If nitric acid train “t” exhausts to any N2O abatement technology “N” after the test point, you must determine the annual amount of nitric acid produced on train “t” while N2O abatement technology “N” is operating according to § 98.224(f). Then you must calculate the abatement utilization factor for each N2O abatement technology “N” for each nitric acid train “t” according to Equation V-2 of this section.

(g) You must calculate N2O emissions for each nitric acid train “t” according to paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), or (g)(4) of this section.

(1) If nitric acid train “t” exhausts to one N2O abatement technology “N” after the test point, you must use the emissions factor (determined in Equation V-1 of this section), the destruction efficiency (determined in paragraph (d) of this section), the annual nitric acid production (determined in paragraph (i) of this section), and the abatement utilization factor (determined in paragraph (e) of this section) according to Equation V-3a of this section:

(2) If multiple N2O abatement technologies are located in series after your test point, you must use the emissions factor (determined in Equation V-1 of this section), the destruction efficiency (determined in paragraph (d) of this section), the annual nitric acid production (determined in paragraph (f) of this section), and the abatement utilization factor (determined in paragraph (e) of this section), according to Equation V-3b of this section:

(3) If multiple N2O abatement technologies are located in parallel after your test point, you must use the emissions factor (determined in Equation V-1 of this section), the destruction efficiency (determined in paragraph (d) of this section), the annual nitric acid production (determined in paragraph (f) of this section), and the abatement utilization factor (determined in paragraph (e) of this section), according to Equation V-3c of this section:

FCN = Fraction control factor of N2O abatement technology “N” (percent of total emissions from unit “t” that are sent to abatement technology “N”).

2205 = Conversion factor (lb/metric ton).

N = Number of different N2O abatement technologies with a fraction control factor.

(4) If nitric acid train “t” does not exhaust to any N2O abatement technology after the test point, you must use the emissions factor (determined in Equation V-1 of this section), and the annual nitric acid production (determined in paragraph (i) of this section) according to Equation V-3b of this section:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on December 11, 2014 (79 FR 73750). The final rule amends the general provisions of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule to establish chemical-specific and default global warming potentials (GWPs) for a number of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-GHGs) and fluorinated heat transfer fluids (F-HTFs). The rule also includes conforming changes to the provisions for the Electronics Manufacturing and Fluorinated Gas Production source categories.

2014-12-11; vol. 79 # 238 - Thursday, December 11, 2014

79 FR 73750 - Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program: Addition of Global Warming Potentials to the General Provisions and Amendments and Confidentiality Determinations for Fluorinated Gas Production

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is adding chemical-specific and default global warming potentials (GWPs) for a number of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-GHGs) and fluorinated heat transfer fluids (F-HTFs) to the general provisions of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule. Currently, these fluorinated GHGs and HTFs are not assigned GWPs under the rule. The changes will increase the completeness and accuracy of the carbon dioxide (CO 2 )-equivalent emissions calculated and reported by suppliers and emitters of fluorinated GHGs and HTFs. The EPA is also making conforming changes to the provisions for the Electronics Manufacturing and Fluorinated Gas Production source categories. In addition, the EPA is amending certain provisions of the Fluorinated Gas Production source category to reduce the level of detail in which emissions are reported, eliminate the mass-balance emission calculation method, and clarify the emission factor method. These amendments also include an alternative verification approach for this source category in lieu of collecting certain data elements for which the EPA has identified disclosure concerns and for which the reporting deadline was deferred until March 31, 2015. In addition, this action establishes confidentiality determinations for certain reporting requirements of the Fluorinated Gas Production source category.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing revisions and confidentiality determinations for the petroleum and natural gas systems source category and the general provisions of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule. These revisions include changes to certain calculation methods, amendments to certain monitoring and data reporting requirements, clarification of certain terms and definitions, and corrections to certain technical and editorial errors that have been identified during the course of implementation. This action also finalizes confidentiality determinations for new or substantially revised data elements contained in these amendments and revises the confidentiality determination for one existing data element.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is amending the reporting and recordkeeping requirements of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. These amendments include an alternative verification approach in lieu of collecting certain data elements for which the EPA has identified disclosure concerns and for which the reporting deadline was deferred until March 31, 2015. The alternative verification approach includes the addition of new verification, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements while maintaining the EPA's ability to verify emissions and ensure compliance with the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. In conjunction with the amendments, the EPA is establishing final confidentiality determinations for the new data elements added in this action.

This is a list of United States Code sections, Statutes at Large, Public Laws, and Presidential Documents, which provide rulemaking authority for this CFR Part.

The comment period for the proposed rule published on December 9, 2014 (79 FR 73147) has been extended. Comments must be received on or before February 24, 2015.

40 CFR Part 98

Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing an extension of the public comment period for the proposed rule titled “Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program: 2015 Revision and Confidentiality Determinations for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems”. The public comment period for this proposal began on December 9, 2014. This document announces the extension of the deadline for public comment from February 9, 2015 to February 24, 2015.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on December 11, 2014 (79 FR 73750). The final rule amends the general provisions of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule to establish chemical-specific and default global warming potentials (GWPs) for a number of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-GHGs) and fluorinated heat transfer fluids (F-HTFs). The rule also includes conforming changes to the provisions for the Electronics Manufacturing and Fluorinated Gas Production source categories.

The public comment period for this proposal began on December 9, 2014 (79 FR 73148) with the opportunity for a public hearing 15 days later on December 24, 2014. This notice announces that the public hearing date has been changed to January 8, 2015. Public comments for this proposal are due February 9, 2015.

40 CFR Part 98

Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a change in date for the public hearing for the proposed rule titled “Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program: 2015 Revision and Confidentiality Determinations for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems”. The original public hearing date was December 24, 2014, and the new public hearing date will be January 8, 2015.

2014-12-11; vol. 79 # 238 - Thursday, December 11, 2014

79 FR 73750 - Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program: Addition of Global Warming Potentials to the General Provisions and Amendments and Confidentiality Determinations for Fluorinated Gas Production

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is adding chemical-specific and default global warming potentials (GWPs) for a number of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-GHGs) and fluorinated heat transfer fluids (F-HTFs) to the general provisions of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule. Currently, these fluorinated GHGs and HTFs are not assigned GWPs under the rule. The changes will increase the completeness and accuracy of the carbon dioxide (CO 2 )-equivalent emissions calculated and reported by suppliers and emitters of fluorinated GHGs and HTFs. The EPA is also making conforming changes to the provisions for the Electronics Manufacturing and Fluorinated Gas Production source categories. In addition, the EPA is amending certain provisions of the Fluorinated Gas Production source category to reduce the level of detail in which emissions are reported, eliminate the mass-balance emission calculation method, and clarify the emission factor method. These amendments also include an alternative verification approach for this source category in lieu of collecting certain data elements for which the EPA has identified disclosure concerns and for which the reporting deadline was deferred until March 31, 2015. In addition, this action establishes confidentiality determinations for certain reporting requirements of the Fluorinated Gas Production source category.

Comments must be received on or before February 9, 2015. Public Hearing. The EPA does not plan to conduct a public hearing unless requested. To request a hearing, please contact the person listed in the following FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section by December 16, 2014. If requested, the hearing will be conducted on December 24, 2014, in the Washington, DC area. The EPA will provide further information about the hearing on the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program Web site, http://www.epa.gov/ghgreporting/index.html if a hearing is requested.

40 CFR Part 98

Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing revisions and confidentiality determinations for the petroleum and natural gas systems source category of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. In particular, the EPA is proposing to add calculation methods and reporting requirements for greenhouse gas emissions from gathering and boosting facilities, completions and workovers of oil wells with hydraulic fracturing, and blowdowns of natural gas transmission pipelines between compressor stations. The EPA is also proposing well identification reporting requirements to improve the EPA's ability to verify reported data and enhance transparency. This action also proposes confidentiality determinations for new data elements contained in these proposed amendments.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing revisions and confidentiality determinations for the petroleum and natural gas systems source category and the general provisions of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule. These revisions include changes to certain calculation methods, amendments to certain monitoring and data reporting requirements, clarification of certain terms and definitions, and corrections to certain technical and editorial errors that have been identified during the course of implementation. This action also finalizes confidentiality determinations for new or substantially revised data elements contained in these amendments and revises the confidentiality determination for one existing data element.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is amending the reporting and recordkeeping requirements of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. These amendments include an alternative verification approach in lieu of collecting certain data elements for which the EPA has identified disclosure concerns and for which the reporting deadline was deferred until March 31, 2015. The alternative verification approach includes the addition of new verification, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements while maintaining the EPA's ability to verify emissions and ensure compliance with the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. In conjunction with the amendments, the EPA is establishing final confidentiality determinations for the new data elements added in this action.

Comments must be received on or before September 2, 2014, unless a hearing is requested. If a hearing is requested, comments must be received on or before September 15, 2014. Public Hearing. The EPA does not plan to conduct a public hearing unless requested. To request a hearing, please contact the person listed in the following FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section by August 7, 2014. Upon such request, the EPA will hold the hearing on August 15, 2014, in the Washington, DC area. The EPA will provide further information about the hearing on the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program Web site, http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.html if a hearing is requested.

40 CFR Part 98

Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to add chemical-specific and default global warming potentials (GWPs) for a number of fluorinated greenhouse gases (GHGs) and fluorinated heat transfer fluids (HTFs) to the general provisions of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule. Currently, these fluorinated GHGs and HTFs are not assigned GWPs under the rule. The proposed changes would increase the completeness and accuracy of the carbon dioxide (CO 2 )-equivalent emissions calculated and reported by suppliers and emitters of fluorinated GHGs and HTFs. In addition, the EPA is proposing conforming changes to the provisions for the Electronics Manufacturing and Fluorinated Gas Production source categories.